If you want people to take you seriously, then you should present yourself professionally. We’ve talked about sending tightly written emails and texts, but consider your attire when you’re working on a story.

A student reporter wearing “I’m-only-pretending-to-be-a-reporter” attire prompted a potential interviewee on a recent big story to refuse to talk to her. I don’t blame him because she didn’t look legit.

Here’s an email from the interviewee:

One of your journalism majors approached me for an interview. Your student was wearing a short, black tennis outfit or some type of skimpy clothing. I was a little rude because I initially assumed she was selling magazines or was looking for donations for some organization.

If your students expect to be acknowledged as aspiring young professionals or professionals-in-training, someone should instruct them in appropriate dress when confronting the public.  I was, in fact, too busy to talk with her at the time, but had she approached me in more appropriate attire, I would have been open to setting a later time for her to return.

Ouch. Don’t be that person.

(Photo: Creative Commons)